Advancing reel threading device



y 1947. A. E. GUENTHER ETAL 2,420,537

ADVANCING REEL THREADING DEVICE I v Filed May 10, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet lI N V EN TORS RTHl/k 6'. Gum/n10? ,vo L 55 5. M01. wvsux BrJ/V,

ATTORNEY y A. E. GUENTHER EIAL 2,420,537

ADVANCING REEL THREADING DEVICE Filed May 10, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS R THUR E l/E/VTHER A no L s: 6. Mo; YA/EUX nrroklvfx May 13,1947. A, E. GUENTHER ETAL 37 ADVANCING REEL THREADING DEVICE Filed llay10, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TORS g-mwz E. 606 Tusk ,uvo L: M01.wvsux MCW' A T TOkIVE X Patented May 13, 1 947 I ADVANCING REEL'THREADING DEVICE Arthur E. Guenther and Lee B. Molyneux, Buffalo, N.Y., assignors to E. I. du Pont do Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del.,acorporation of Delaware Application May 10, 1946, Serial No. 668,848

19 Claims. ((128-715) This invention relates to a threadingdevice, andmore particularly to a device for threading yarn on a yarn-advancingreel enclosed in a casing. I

Recently, there has been devised yam-advancing reels of the general typewherein a yarn is wound in a substantially helical form around a reelhaving a set of fixed yarn-carrying bars arranged concentrically aroundand rotatable in a fixed circular path about the center axis of the reelaxle and a set of movable bars which during rotation about the centeraxis of the reel axle move radially (vary their distance from the centeraxis of the reel axle) and axially, the axial movement of the movablebars being such that when the bars are in the yam-contacting position(radial out position) such bars will be moved in the direction of theyarn advancement across the reel to advance the yarn across the reeland, when the movable yarn bars are out of contact with the yarn, suchbars will be moved axially in the direction opposite to the direction ofthe yarn advancement across the reel.

It has been found that when freshly regenerated cellulose yarn was woundon a yam-advancing reel of the aforementioned type and the reel enclosedin a steamer, highly effective carbon bisulflde removal could beobtained. However, considerable difltculty was encountered in thethreading of the yarn on the reel. The yarn had to be manually threadedbefore steam was introduced into the steamer, with the result that therewas a; considerable amount of yarn which was not subjected to thesteaming operation. Various means, were attempted to mechanically threadthe yarn on the advancing reel in the steamer, but none of these weresuccessful.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and novel device forthreading yarn on a yarn-advancing reel enclosed in a casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a threading device for ayarn-advancing reel enclosed in a steamer wherein the yarn, on the reelis subjected to a steam treatment.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a threadingdevicewhich prevents the escape of steam from the casing of the steamerenclosing the yarn-advancing reel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a threading devicehaving a head provided with flexible seals which will deflect locally topermit introduction of a threading key therebetween and will adjustthemselves 'to the contour of such key to prevent the escape of steamfrom the casing of the steamer enclosing the reel.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a threader havinga feeder which positions the hook on the leading end of a threading keyin the path of the rotating reel so that it will be engaged by one ofthe bars on the the reel and pulled out of the threading device.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a threading keywhich, during passage through the feeder, will firmly grip the yarn atthe trailing end thereof. 1

A still further object of this invention is to provide means'to releasethe threading key from the reel after the yarn has been wound in asubstantially helical form on the reel to the desired point of dischargeof the yarn from the "eel.

Other and additional objects will become apparent hereinafter.

- The objects of the invention are accomplished, in generaL by providinga threading device having a feeder, projecting through an opening in thecasing and so disposed that the lower end thereof is positioned on theinside of a steamer position to be engaged by one of the bars of thereel enclosed in the casing and be pulled out of the feeder uponrotation of the reel.

The head of the threading device is provided with a slot through whichthe threading key is inserted into the feeder. Means are provided tocompletely close of! a passage through the slots. The passage closingmeans, which are flexible, will deflect locally to permit passage of thethreading key between them and will adjust themselves to the contour ofsuch key to prevent escape of steam from the steamer enclosed in thereel.

Means are provided on the head to position the yarn in the pathof travelof the trailing end of the threading key so that, as the latter passesin and through the feeder, the ,yarn will be firmly gripped in awedge-shaped slot at the trailing end of the threading key.

The back of the threading key is maintained in contact with the barwhich engages it by the tension of the yarn which is grinned at thetrailing end of the threading key.

A the reel rotates, the advancing end of the l 3 threading key is hookedover one of the movable bars and is carried with it, first being carriedtoward the discharge end ofthe reel and then being returned toward theloading'end of the reel so that at the completion of 'one revolution ofthe reel the hook would still be in alignment with its starting positionunless it is, shifted out of that position by some other means. Thus,about the middle of the first revolution of the reel, the head of thehook engages a stationary cam mounted from the roof of the steamer andthis cam shifts the threading key one pitch toward the discharge end ofthe reel. As the reel revolves,'a helix of yarn is wound onto the reel.This rope is under some tension and, as it is advanced along the reel,it pushes the threading hook along ahead. of it, in successive wraps aslong as the hook remains engaged with the reel bar-or until the hook hasbeen fed over the end of such bar. Means are preferably provided torelease the threading key from the reel bar at the point where it isdesired to have the yarn leave the reel, as by pushing its hook 011 theend of the bar which engages it. The releasing means, in a, specificform, comprises a, cam located to engage the hook at a position where itis travelling downwardly so that, as the hook is removedfrom the bar, itwill fall and carry the end of the yarn with it to the bottom of thereel.

it unwinds from the revolving reel.

Preferably, the yarn is fed from the spinning machine and positioned onthe head so that it can be threaded onto the reel. In one embodiment,the yarn is fed from-the spinning machine beneath a guide hook carriedon ,the head of the feeder and around a post also carried on the head ofthe feeder, and thence to a waste roll. The threading key is insertedand positioned in the feeder so that the wedge-shaped slot at thetrailing end of the threading key will grip the yarn as it passes fromthe hook to the post and carry it downwardly through the feeder and ontothe reel. The post is provided with a. cutter and, as the trailing endof the threading key descends, the yarn will be carried over a cuttingwheel in the post, with theresult that the yarn which had been runningfrom the post of the waste roll will be reversed in direction and runover the knife, whereby it will be cut in two. The cut occurs betweenthe threading key and the waste roll and leaves the yarn end coming fromthe spinning machine wedged in the trailing end of the threading hookand, in consequence, follows it on through the threading device and ontothe reel.

The drag caused by drawing the yarn between the sealing means'in thehead of the threading device also imposes a tension which aids inmaintaining the key on the reel.

The present invention will be more clearly understood by reference tothe following detailed descrlptin when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the feeder in position on the steamer casingin which a yam-ad- Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Y Fiure 5 is a section Figure 2; v

Figure 6 is an elevation of a plug used in connection with the passagesealing means;

' of the bars l4 and I6 of the yam-advancing reel.

Figure 7 is a view of the end at the right of th feeder shown in Figure3;

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the feeder;

Fi ure 9 is a section taken on the line 8-9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a section taken of Figure 7 Figure 11 is a section takenpnthe line I l-ll of Figure 7:

Figure 12 is a partial section showing the insertion of the threadingkey at the beginning of the threading operation;

Figure 13 is a partial section illustrating another stage in thethreading operation; and

Figure 14 is a section taken on the line l4-l4 of Figure 13.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designatelike parts, the reference numeral l 0 designates a casing of a steamer.Since any form of steamer can be used and the details of construction ofthe steamer form no part of this invention, no further descriptionthereof is necessary.

A yam-advancing reel, which is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 of thedrawings, is enclosedby the casing i0 and in one form comprises movablechannel-shaped bars I4 and fixed bars IS. The fixed bars it are arrangedconcentrically around and rotated in a fixed circular path about thecenter axis of the reel axle, and the movable bars H are mounted andpositioned so that, during rotation thereof about the center on the linel0 l0 axis of the reel, they will move radially (vary' such bars will bemoved axially of the reel in the direction opposite to the direction ofyarn advancement across the reel. In operation of such reel, the yarn,from a suitable source of supply, is wound in a substantially helicalform around the reel, and, upon rotation of the reel, the yarn will beprogressively fed across the reel to the point of discharge. Since theprecise details of construction of the yarn-advancing reel form noessential part of the invention, no further description thereof isdeemed necessary.

The casing I0 is provided with an opening 20 which is opposite to theyarn-receiving end of the reel and is provided with a frame 22. A plate24 is secured to the frame 22 by means of bolts 28. A gasket 28 ispositioned intermediate the plate 24 and the frame 22 to make the jointsteamtight.

The plate 24 is provided with an opening which is in alignment with theopening 20 of the casing III. A feeder, generally designated by thereference character F, extends through such aligned opening and issecured to the plate 24, as will hereafter be more fully explained.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the feeder F is 'angularly disposedrelative to the casing in and terminates interiorly of the casing withthe lower end thereof positioned adjacent the path of travel Theupperend of the feeder F which terminates outside of the casing it includes ahead, genertaken on the line 8-5 of ally designated by the referencecharacter H. The head H is formed of a block 00, in the top of which thebottom end of a hook 02 is secured. A post 00, in spaced relationship'to the hook 02 is threadedly secured on the top of the block 00,: asshown in Figure 4. The post 00 is provided with a slot in which acircular knife 00 is carried on a pin 00. The circular knife 00 extendsin a notch 02 in the post 36.

Intermediate the hook. 02 and the post 00, the block is provided with aslot 00 which extends from the top to the bottom of the head and throughwhich a, threading member is inserted. In order to prevent escape ,ofsteam or gas from the casing I0 through the slot 50, there is provided9, pair of round tubes 00 and 62 which extend longitudinally of the slotand contact at the center of the slot 56 to completely close oil. apassage through the slot. Since the threading key must be passed betweenthe tubes 60 and, the latter are preferably made of a flexible material,such as rubber, neoprene, etc., which will deflect locally to permitpassage of the threading key and the yarn therebetween and adjustthemselves to the contour of the object passing therebetween.

In each of the tubes 60 and 62, there is positioned a plug, generallydesignated by the reference numeral 06 (see Figure 6). The plug 00, asshown in Figures 4 and 5, is provided with cylindrical ends 68 formedintegrally with a semicylindrical piece 10. The plugs 66 aresubstantially equal in length to the tubes 60 and 62,and the diameter ofthe ends 68 thereof is approximately the same as that of the innerdiameter of the tubes. The curvature of the member 10 is approximatelyon a radius equal to the radius of.

in achannel 16 between the top and bottom of the block 30; As shown inFigure 5, each screw 12 extends through a hole in the tube 00 and isthreadedly secured in tapped holes 69 in the cylindrical ends of theplug 66.

A plug 06 is also positioned in the tube 62, as shown in Figures 4 and5. The plug in tube 02 is appropriately secured to the tube at thecylindrical ends 60 thereof, which are in turn appropriately secured tothe head.

As shown in Figure 4, the flatsurfaces of the semi-cylindrical members10 of the plugs 06 are stop which cooperates with the mm. As shown inFigure 4, the stem of ,thescrew 00' is threaded andcooperates with atapped hole in the plate 0!. 1 A look washer 01, cooperating with athreaded boss'll on the, side plate, serves to lock the knurled headedscrew 80 in adjusted position.

, tube 02, the screw 00 is rotated in the proper direction to releasethe block I0. The-screws I0 are then rotated in proper direction to movethe block 14 together with the tube 00 in the desired direction. Uponadjustment, the screw 00 is rotaotzg until the end of the stem 8118 888,the bl A front plate 02 is secured to the block 30 by screws 00. A rearplate is also similarly secured to block 00. For reasons which willbecome apparent, the right side of the head is in- 00 of the head H issecured, as by welding, to the plate 20, as shown inFigures 1 and 3.

A front plate I00 is secured at the top thereof, as by welding, to plateI00. A short, downwardly extending, back plate H0 is secured, as bywelding, in spaced parallel relationship to plate I00.

positioned in the tubes in opposed relationship 1 so that, thecontacting portions of the tubes opposite thereto will be free to flexwhen an object is inserted therebetween. 1 V

The block 14, as previously mentioned, is slidably positioned in thechannel I5 between the top and bottom of the head. Movement'of the blockH, and hence the tube 80, relative to tube 62, is obtained by rotationof the knurled headed members I6. As shown in Figure 5, the inner end ofeach stem 80 of each member I6 is secured to the block It. The stem isalso provided with a threaded portion which cooperates with a threadedhole in the flanged side plate 00, which is appropriately secured to theblock. 00 of the head. members 10, tube 60, together withits be adjustedrelative to tube 62.

A knurled headed screw 86, the stem of which extends through the sideplate 80, constitutes a plug, can

The lower end or plate I I0 is secured, as by welding, to an outwardlyextending flange H2 or a downwardly extending plate III which is inspaced parallel relationship with plate I00. For reasons which willbecome apparent, the bottom edge of a downwardly extending plate H0 issecured to the flange H2 and oneof the side edges secured to the plateIIO so that, as shown in Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, the'plate H0 is'positioned at right angles to plate H0 and extends inwardly therefrom.

As shown in Figure 7, a groove I20 is provided throughout the length ofthe feeder. At the top of the feeder, as shown in Figure 11, the grooveI20 is formed between plate IIO and a plate I22. 'I'heplate I22 issecured to the plate I03 and. is positioned at right angles toplate I08,and, as shown in Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, extends inwardly anddownwardly of the feeder. Plate I22 is also disposed in parallel spacedrelationship to plate I02. A plate I24 is secured at one side adjacentthe inner edg of plate I22 and, at its other edge, is secured to plateI02. A guide plate I20, constituting the closed side of groove 'm', ispositioned intermediate the plate 124 and to the manner of securing itonto the casing, no

Thus by rotation of theknurled headed steam or gas can pass from thesteamer through the feeder to the surrounding atmosphere. In order forany steam to pass from the steamer to the atmosphere, it must passthrough the head, which is provided, as hereinbefore explained, withseals (rubber tubes 00 and 02) Thefeedcr is mounted on the casing at anangle so that thelower end is positioned ad- To adjust the tube 00relative to the Jacent the path of travel of the yam-advancing reel. Inorder to position such lower end in close proximity to the path oftravel of the yarnadvancing reel, the plate members of the feeder arecurved on a radius from the center of the reel. Specifically, plates I08and I I4 are each curved adjacent the bottom thereof on a radius fromthe center of the reel. Plate I38terminates at the bottom thereofadjacent the top of the curvedportion of plate I08. l

The threading key (see Figures 1, 12, 13, 14) comprises a circular rodI40 of a length which extends between two successive channel bars I4 ofthe reel. At the bottom, the circular rod I40 has secured thereto a hookI42. The hooked member is formed of flat metal and is substantially ofthe form and shape shown in Figures 1 and 13. The inner surface I 43 ofthe toe I44 is of a shape to conform to the bar of the reel which it isto engage. In the form shown, since the hook I42 is to engage a movablebar having a flat side, the inner surface I43 of the toe I44 is alsoflat so that it will be in close intimate contact with the side of themovable bar it engages. 'I'he edge I45 of the hook I42 which spans thechannel is fiat. The toe I44 is of such length that it will not bekicked off the bar which it engages during the radial outward movementof the movable bar I4. The outer edge of the hook I42 is curved, asindicated by the reference nu-v merals I46 and I48, and also rounded.The hook I42 is of such dimensions that, as hereafter explained, whenthe rear edge thereof rides in groove I20, the toe will extend andproject from slot I2I.

The top of the circular rod I40 is bent downwardly to form awedge-shaped slot I52 and then bent, in the form shown in Figure 12, toform an eye I54, which constitutes a handle. It is to be noted that thehook I 42 and the wedge s'lot I52 together with the eye I54 arepositioned in planes which are approximately 90 to each other.

The eye I54 is slightly inclined to the vertical axis of the rod I40,and the hook I42 is secured to the lower end of the rod so that, whenthe hook I42 is in engagement witha fixed bar, the eye I54 will span thefollowing fixed bar and the rod will extend between said bars and lie onthe periphery of the reel.

In operation, a yarn I60 is drawn from the spinning machine by apositively driven roller I62, from which it is passed beneath the guidehook 32, thence around the post 36, from which it passes to anappropriately mounted waste roller I64 where it is temporarily wound. Tothread the yarn onto the reel, the operator, facing the device same asan observer of Figure 1 and holding the hook approximately parallel withthe feeder and with the hook end down and the hook toe extending awayfrom him, thrusts the hook through the slot 66 and past the rubbertubes60 and 62 at a point immediately beyond the pass of the yarn fromthe hook 32 to the post 36, and desig- Figures 1a and 14). Due to plateno, the heel of the hook is shifted so that it enters the groove natedas Y in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 13, d

the tubes yield locally to permit insertion of the hook and rod andimmediately conform to the shape of the article therebetween. Onleavingthe head, the hook passes into the chamber des- 'ignated as I10(see Figure 11) of the enlarged key is rotated on its longitudinal axis(see [6 I20. As the hook continues its descent, the toe thereof entersand travels in the slot I2I and the eye I54 will travel in the channelI. It is to be noted that the toe projects from the slot I2I. The grooveI20 is of such shape that, when the hook I42 is disposed-in the lowercurved end o. the feeder, the hook, and particularly the toe, will be inthe pathof the bars on the rotating yam-advancing reel. The necessaryshape of the groove is obtained by appropriately curving the edge ofplates I26, and which constitutes the closed end of the groove I20.

When the hook has been depressed so that it is in the path of the barson the rotating yarnadvancing reel, the toe thereof is engaged by one ofthe bars on the reel and, due to the rotation of the reel, is pulled outof the feeder. After the threading key has been rotated 90 as previouslyexplained, the trailing end of the key projects over the yarn, passingbeneath the guide hook 82 onto the post 36 (pass Y). Upon furtherdescension of the key, the yarn is caught in the wedge-shaped slot I62wherein it is tightly secured and is carried down, together with thekey, past the rubber tubes through the feeder and onto the reelfollowing the hook. The toe of the hook is hooked over one of the yarnbars and is held there by the tension in the yarn. This tension is dueto a stretch imposed in the yarn prior to being withdrawn by the rollI62, and also some drag is caused by drawing the yarn between the tworubber-sealing tubes in the head of the threading device.

, During descension of the trailing end of the threading key, the eyepasses through the channel designated by the reference numeral I3I.After the yarn has been gripped and upon further descensionrof the keyin the feeder, th yarn will be pulled downwardly toward the base of thepost 36 until it passes over the cutter 48 in the post 38. At thismoment, the yarn, which had been running from post 36 to the waste rollI64, will now be caused to pass from the hook 32 to the feeder, and theyarn passing from the post 36 to the waste roll will reverse itsdirection and, in trying to run over the knife, will be severed. Thesevering occurs between the threading key and the waste roll and leavesthe yarn end coming from the spinning unit wedged in the slot I52 of thethreading key and, in consequence, follows it on throughthe threadingdevice and onto the reel.

After the key has hooked over the yarn bar and about the middle of thefirst revolution of the reel thereafter, the head of the hook engages astationary cam (not shown) mounted from the roof of the steamer. Thiscam shifts the threading key one pitch toward the discharge end of thereel. As the reel revolves, a helix of yarn is wound onto the reel. Thisyarn is under some tension and. as it is advanced along the reel, itpushes the threading hook along ahead of it. This will continue as longas the hook remains engaged with the reel bar or until the hook has beenactually fed over the end of the bar. In the preferred form, it isdesirable to have the yarn leave the reel when it gets to apredetermined distance from the end of the bar, and this is accomplishedby releasing the threading key from the reel bar by pushing the hook offthe end of the bar. In the form shown in Figure 1, this is accomplishedby a cam I66 located so as to engage the hook at a position where it isfeeder, it is not essential.

traveling downwardly, so that, upon disengagement from the bar, the hookwill fall and carry with it the end of the yarn to the bottom of thereel casing. The yarn, due to its own weight, will continue to fall tothe bottom of the casing as it unwinds from the rotating reel.

The cam I" is positioned in the path of travel of the hook on the bar ofthe rotating reel at the point where it is desired to have the yarnleave the-reel. The cam I" is secured, as by screws I", to a supportappropriately mounted on the interior of the casing.

During the threadingoperation, the yarn coming from the spinning machinecontinues to pass under the hook guide I2 and then down into the slot 56between the rubber tubes 60 and 82 and downwardly through the threadingdevice. After the reel has been threaded, the operator pulls the yarntowards him so that it is removed from under the hook 32 whereby theyarn will pass directly from the draw roll I62.

The draw roll "2 and feeder are positioned so that when the yarn passestherefrom directly 'riphery thereof and enclosed'in' a casing having anopening opposite the yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projectingthrough said opening and having its lower end terminating adjacent thepath of travel of said rotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having ahead positioned outside the casing and provided with a to the feeder andthence onto the reel it will do soon a line tangent to the-reel surfaceand to the tubes at a point on the line of'contact therebetween.

The threading device of this invention is not restricted to any specifictype of advancing reel. In general, it can beutilized with any advancingreel and wherein the yarn is advanced progresslvely across the reel insubstantially helical form by axial movement in the direction of theyarn advancement of movable bars when in yam-contacting position.Suchreel may or may not have fixed yam-contacting bars. ApplicationSerial No. 633,399, filed December 7, 1945, Serial No. 640,231, filedJanuary 10, 1946, Serial No.'644,939, 'flled February 1, 1946, SerialNo. 644,940, filed February 1, 1946, Serial No. 645,718, filed February8,1946, application of Arthur E. Guenther for Yarn-advancing reel, fliedMay 23, 1946, and application of Robert A. Staflord for Yarn-advanc'ingreel, filed March 23, 1946, disclose several types of reels which can bethreaded by the present invention.

Though it is preferred that the hook guide 32 and the post 36 be mountedon the head of the Any appropriate means for positioning the yarn inposition for threading can be used. Likewise, any severing meansproperly positioned can be used for severing the yarn passing to thewaste roll after the reel has been threaded. v

The use of the threading device is not restricted to threading ayarn-advancing reel en;

slot through which a threading key having a hook on the leading end andyarn-gripping means at the trailing end thereof is passed, a pair offlexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the centerthereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubesbeing suiflciently flexible to yield and'conform to the contour of thethreading key and yarn whenpassing thereclosed in a steamer. It can beused to thread a yarn-advancing reel enclosed in any casing j whereinthe yarn is subjected to treatment with The invention is particularlyapplicable for threading. yarn composed of continuous filaments orstaple fibers, ropes, ribbons and other similar articles of continuouslength onto a yarn-advancing reel enclosed in a casing wherein, whilethe article is being advanced across the reel, it is beng subjected to atreatment with a fluid, either liquidor gaseous.

The invention provides a relatively inexpensive threading device forquickly and effectively threading continuous length articles onto ayamadvancing reel enclosed in a casing. Due to the manner in which thefeeder is positioned on the casing and the flexible seals, substantiallyno gas,

between, and means in said feeder to guide the threading key as itdescends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path of travelof the bars of said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars whenit is in the lower end of said feeder.

2. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotatingyam-advancing reel having yarn-contacting bar-s arranged around theperiphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening oppositethe yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through saidopening and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travelof said rotating yarnadvancing reel, said feeder having a headpositioned outside the casing and provided with a slot through which athreading key having a hook on the leading end and yam-gripping means atthe trailing end thereof is passed, a pair of flexible tubes disposed insaid slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal off. apassage through said slot, said tubesbeing sufficiently flexible toyield and'conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn whenpassing therebetween, means in said feeder to guide the threading key asit descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path oftravel of the bars 55 of said reel and in position to be engaged by saidbars when it is in the lower end of said feeder, and means positioned inthe path of travel of said hook on said reel to remove said key fromsaid reel at a, predetermined place.

3. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotatingyam-advancing reel having yarn-contacting bars arranged around theperiphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening oppositethe yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through saidopening and having its lower end terminating adj acent the path oftravel of said rotating yarn-advancing reel, saidfeeder having a headpositioned outside the casing and provided with a slot through which athreading key having a hook on the leading end and yarn-gripping meansat the trailing end thereof is passed, a pair of flexible tubes disposedin said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal offa passage through said slot, said tubes being sufliciently flexible toyield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn whenpassing therebetween, and means in said feeder to guide the threadingkey as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in thepathof travel of the bars oi said reel and in position to be engaged by saidbars when it is in the lower end of said feeder, said tubes beingthrough the line of contact riphery thereof and enclosed in a casinhaving an opening opposite'the yarn-receiving end of said reel, a feederprojecting through said opening and having its lower end terminatingadjacent the path of travel of said rotating yamadvancing reel, saidfeeder having a head positioned outside the casing and provided with aslot through which a threading key having a hook on the leading end andyarn-gripping mean; at the trailing end thereof is passed, means to feeda yarn across said slot in position to be engaged by the gripping meanson the threading key when said key is caused to descend in said feeder,a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at thecenter thereof to completely seal 01 a passage through said slot, saidtubes being sufficiently flexible to yield and conform to the contour ofthe threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, and means in saidfeeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hookthereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reeland in .position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower endof said feeder.

5. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotatingyarn-advancing reel having yam-contacting bars arranged around theperiphery thereof and enclosed in a casin having an opening opposite theyam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through said openingand having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel of saidrotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outsidethe casing and provided with a I slot through, which a threading keyhaving a hook on the leading and and yam-gripp means at the trailing endis passed, a feed roll to feed the yarn to be threaded on theme], awaste roll receiving said yarn prior to the threading thereof on saidreel, means in the path of travel of the yarn between said feed roll andwaste roll to direct said yarn across said slot in position to beengaged by the gripping means on the threading key when said key iscaused to descend insaid Ieeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed insaid slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal off apassage through said slot, said tubes being sufhciently flexible toyield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn whenpassing therebetween, and means in said feeder to guide the threadingkey as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the pathof travel of the bars of said reel and in position to be engaged by saidbars when it is in the lower end of said feeder.

6. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotatingyarn-advancing reel having yarn-contacting bars arranged around theperiphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having cent the path oftravel of said rotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having a headpositioned outside the casing and provided with a slot through which athreading key having a hook on the leading end and yarn-gripping meansat the trailing end is passed, a feed roll to feed the yarn to bethreaded on the reel, a waste rail receiving said yarn prior to thethreading thereof on said reel, means in the path of travel of the yarnbetween said feed roll and waste roll to direct said yarn across saidslot in position to be engaged by the gripping means on the threadingkey when said key is caused .to descend'in said feeder, a pair offlexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the centerthereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubesbeing sufficiently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of thethreading key and yarn when passing therebetween, means in said feederto guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof willbe disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reel and inposition to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of saidfeeder, and means to sever the gg yarn in the pass from the feed roll tothe waste roll whereby the yarn can be fed directly from a said feedroll through the feeder and onto said riphery thereof and enclosed in acasing having an opening opposite the yarn-receiving end of said reel, afeeder'projecting through said opening and having its lower endterminating adjacent the path of travel of said rotating yam-advancingreel, said feeder having a head positioned outside the casing andprovided with a slot throughwhich a threading key having a hook on theleading end and yarnrippin means at the trailing end is passed, a feedroll to feed the yarn to be threaded on the reel, a waste roll receivingsaid yarn prior to the threading thereof on said reel, means in the pathof travel of the yarn between said feed roll and waste roll to directsaid yarn across said slot in position to be engaged by the grippingmeans on the threading key when said key is caused to descend in saidfeeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting atthe center thereof to completeLv seal off a passage through said slot,said .tubes being sufnciently flexible to yield and conform to thecontour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, meansin said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that thehook thereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars "of saidreel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lowerend of said feeder, and means to sever the yarn in the pass from thefeed roll to the waste roll whereby the yarn can be fed directly fromsaid feed roll through the feeder and onto said reel, said feed roll andtubes being positioned so that the yarn will pass directly from saidfeed roll to the slot on a line tangent to the reel surface and the lineof contact between said tubes.

8. In an apparatus for threading yam'or the like onto a, rotatingyam-advancing reel having yam-contacting bars arranged around'theperiphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening oppositethe yarn-receiving end of said reel, a. feeder projecting through saidopening and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travelof said rotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having a head peeltionedoutside the casing and provided with a slot through which a threadingkey having'a hook on the leading end and yam-gripping means at thetrailing end thereof is passed, a'feed roll to feed amass? and havingits lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel or said rotatingyarn-advancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outthe yarn tobe threaded on the reel, s wasteroll receiving said yarn prior to thethreading thereof on said reel, a hook guide and a post positioned onopposite sides of said slot and in the path of 1 travel of said yarnfrom said feed roll to said passing from said hook guide to said postwill be in position to be engaged by the gripping means on the threadingkey when said key is causedto descend in said feeder, a pair of flexibletubes .disp sed in saidslot and contactin at the center thereof tocompletely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubes beingsufliciently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of thethreading key and yarn when passing therebetween, and means in saidfeeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hookthereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reeland in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower endof said feeder.

9. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotatingyarn-advancing reel having yam-contacting bars arranged around theperiphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening oppositethe yarn-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through saidopen-'- ing and having its lowe end terminating adjacent the path oftravel of said rotating yarnadvancing reel, said feeder having a headpositioned outside the casing andprovided with a slot through which athreading vkey having a hook on the leading end and yam-gripping meansat the trailing end is passed,'a feed roll to feed the yarn side thecasing and provided with a'slot through which a threading key having ahook on the leading end and yarn-gripping'means at the trailing end ispassed, a feed roll to feed the yarn to be threaded on the reel, a waster'oll receiving said yarn prior to the threading thereof on said reel,

a hook guide and a post positioned on opp site sides of said slot andin. the path of travel of said yarn from said feed roll to' said wasteroll whereby in its passage tosaid'waste the yarn will first passbeneath said hook de and then around said post and the yarn passing fromsaid hookguidetosaidpostwillbeinpositiontobe ensased by the grippingmeans onthe threading key when said key is caused to descend in saidfeeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting atthe center thereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot,said tubes being sufficiently flexible to yield and conform to thecontour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, meansin said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that thehook thereof disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reel andin position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end ofsaid feeder, and a knife on said post to sever the yam passin from saidhook to said post whereby the yarn can be fed directly from said feedr011 through the feeder and onto said reel, said feed to be threaded onthe reel, a wast roll receiving said yarn prior to the. threadingthereof on said reel, a hook guide and a post positioned on opposlte'sides of said slot and in the path of travel of said yarn from said feedroll to said wasteroll whereby in its passage to said waste roll theyarn will first pass beneath said hook guide and then around said postand the yarn passing from said hook guide to said post will be inposition to be 5 engaged by the gripping means on the threading key whensaid key i caused, to descendin said feeder, a pair of flexible tubesdisposed in 'said slot and contacting at the center thereof tocompletely seal oil a passage through said slot, said tubes beingsufficiently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of thethreading key and yarn 1 when passing therebtween, means in said feederbe fed directly from said feed roll through the feeder and onto saidreel, said feed roll and tubes being positioned so that the yarn willpass directly from said feed roll to the slot on a line tangent to thereel surface and the line of contact between said tubes.

10. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotatingyarn-advancing reel having yam-contacting bars arranged around theperiphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening oppositethe yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through saidopening roll and tubes being positioned so that the yarn will passdirectly from said feed roll to the slot on a line tangent to the reelsurface and the line of contact. between said tubes.

11. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 having means to adjust thetubes relative to each other.

I 12. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means in thefeeder to guide the threading key comprises an appropriately shapedgroove in which the rear edge of said hook passes.

13. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means in thefeeder to guide the threading key comprises an appropriately shapedgroove in which the rear edge of said hook passes and a slot in whichthe toe of said hook passes.

l4.'In an apparatus as .set forth in claim 1 wherein said feeder isprovided with a channel through which the yam-gripping means on thetrailing end of the threading key passes.

15. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means in thefeeder to guide the threading key comprises a channel through which thetrailing end of said key passes, said channel having a groove in whichthe rear edge of the hook of said key passes and a slot in which the toeof said hook passes. I

16. A key for threading yarn on a yarn-ad vancing reel having contactingbars arranged around the periphery thereof which comprises a rod havingon the leading end thereof a hook adapted to be engaged by said bars,said rod having on its trailing end a wedge-shaped slot which is adaptedto engage the yarn.

17. A key for threading yarn on a yarn-advancing reel having contactingbars arranged around the periphery thereof which comprises a rod havingon the leading end thereof a hook adapted to; be engaged by said bars,said rod being bent at its trailing end to provide a wedgeshaped slotwhich is adapted to engage the yarn.

18. A key for threading yarn on a yam-advancing reel having contactingbars arranged 15 aromid the periphery thereof which comprises a rodhaving on the leadingend thereof a hook adapted to be engaged by saidbars, said rod being bent at its trailing end to provide a wedgeshapedslot which is adapted to engage the yarn, said hook and yarn, engagingmeans being disposed in vertical planes approximately 90 to eachother.

19. Ahey for threading yarn on a yarn-advancing reel having contactingbars arranged around the periphery thereof which comprises a rodhavingon the leading end thereoi' a hook ARTHUR n GUEN'IHER. LEE B. MOLYNEUX.

